The biggest weekend in New Jersey wrestling is finally here: states.

Beginning Thursday, March 5, 448 of the best wrestlers from across the state will flock to Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City with dreams of becoming a state champion. 

That’s right. Not champions — champion.

Because in New Jersey, there’s only one.

You can follow me on Twitter and Instagram — @thescan_man — for state tournament content all weekend long.

106

Favorites:

• Evan Mougalian, Kinnelon
• Tyler Vazquez, Delbarton
• Anthony Santaniello, Brick Memorial

Consistently, 106lbs is one of the most exciting weights at the state tournament. Sophomore Evan Mougalian led the pack all season but there are a bunch of hungry freshmen right on his tail. In fact, this class of freshman 106lbers might be the best in years. 

Delbarton’s Tyler Vazquez is a guy many had circled as the preseason favorite at this weight. He didn’t waste any time turning heads when he made the Beast finals in his first tournament. Still, Vazquez is 0-2 in his last two matchups with Mougalian. We could see the third installment of that series in the quarters.

I have a feeling Santaniello comes out on the other side here. The Brick Memorial frosh is solid from all positions and makes almost no mistakes. Plus, besides Nico Calello at the #1 seed, Santaniello’s probably got the best draw in the bracket. 

Meanwhile, two other freshmen will look to break through into that top tier. Evan Tallmadge won a Fargo title this summer, but I’m not sure that bracket was as tough as this one. He could get Southern’s Conor Collins in the quarters. Collins is on a roll after going unscored upon in a loaded Region 8 bracket that included two other ranked opponents.

Can anyone hold off this loaded class of freshman phenoms?

113

Favorites:

• Kelly Dunnigan, Don Bosco
• Tyler Klinsky, Middletown North
• Joseph Cangro, Bergen Catholic

This weight is pretty wide-open. Dunnigan beat both Klinsky and Cangro this year, but also took a loss to Sparta’s Cooper Stewart in the district final a little more than a week ago. Since he avenged that loss in the region final, he gets the #1 seed in a pretty tough topside. 

That will leave Klinksy and Cangro to work things out on the bottom. Klinsky was a state finalist a year ago while Cangro finished third. Besides the losses to Dunnigan, both have been dominant all season long. I think the champ might come out of this semifinal.

But don’t sleep on the rest of this weight. A guy to watch here will be Rahway’s Kaelan Francois, who enters the state tournament undefeated and just scored a decisive shutout over St Peter’s freshman Donovan Chavis in the Region 4 final. He could see Dunnigan in the quarters.

120

Favorites:

• Dean Peterson, St John Vianney
• Nick Babin, EPR
• Vincent Santaniello, Brick Memorial

Before the season began, this was circled as a weight to watch across the state. Peterson enters as one of only two defending state champions and will look to finish his career with another title. 

Babin and Santaniello are next in the pecking order after finishing second and third last year, respectively. Meanwhile, Peterson’s future teammate at Princeton, Kayal, is no stranger to the bright lights of Atlantic City where he’s finished on the podium three straight years. Each of these guys will come in hungry to dethrone the champ. And all of them can.

But look, Peterson has been the guy all year. There’s a certain level of confidence that comes with defending a title. Currently ranked #3 in the country, he’s had that champion’s swagger since opening weekend at Beast of the East. He’s been perfect all year notching wins over Almeyda, Ryan Miller (Blair), Santaniello, Luchs, and Maida, to name a few. It’s a good thing he’s battle-tested because the top half of this bracket features some landmines.

Sure, this is a loaded weight but it’s been Peterson all year. I think that’s the story here. 

126

Favorites:

• Eddie Ventresca, Pope John
• Nico Nardone, Delbarton
• Robert Howard, Bergen Catholic

You can argue there are other weight classes with more depth or parity, but . . . this is the one to watch.

The top three — Ventresca, Nardone, and Howard — are currently ranked #4, #11, and #12 in the country. Expect a slugfest.

Before the season, it looked like a race between defending champ Ventresca and 2018 champ Howard with Nardone on the outside looking in. But with a win over Howard in his team’s biggest dual of the year, Nardone cemented himself in the title conversation. I have no idea who wins this thing. Ventresca got the #1 seed so we’ll see Howard and Nardone go at it again in the semi. All three guys wrestle fairly similar styles so it’s not like there are any major matchup concerns among them.

Robbie Howard’s never had an easy path to the state final and this year is no different. Before he even gets a chance at Nardone, he’ll have to beat Alex Almeyda in the quarters. Brutal. With that said, Howard won the first matchup this year 7-2.

It’s funny to think guys like Almeyda or two-time placer McKenzie Bell get lost in the mix here, but that’s how it goes when you’re up against some of the nation’s best. They’ll be looking to play spoiler this weekend.

132

Favorites:

• Joey Olivieri, Hanover Park
• Dylan Cedeno, Bergen Catholic

We’ve seen this weight fluctuate throughout the year, with the exception of the top two. Here, Olivieri and Cedeno look to be on a collision course for the 132lb title. 

Olivieri was a state champ at 106 back in 2018, but took a few steps down the podium last year finishing fourth. This year, he’s wrestling like a guy ready to reclaim his title belt. He rode out Cedeno in the third period of their Beast semi to win 1-0. I can’t imagine Cedeno allows it to be settled on the mat again this time around. 

Every year, Cedeno enters the state tournament as one of the top contenders, but has yet to make a final. He’s been on the losing end of some shocking early-round upsets in the past, but I think this is the year he breaks through. His draw is favorable. If seeds hold, he’ll get Simon Ruiz in the semi – a guy Cedeno handled 8-4 in the dual. Justin Bierdumpfel beat Cedeno in the fifth-place bout last year in AC, but he’s on the other side of the bracket.

So, I’ve got Olivieri vs Cedeno final.

138

Favorites:

• Jacob Perez- Eli, Paulsboro
• Michael Cetta, SJM
• Anthony Clark, Delbarton

This is the weight everyone seems to be talking about. The deepest weight class in the state by far, it looks like anyone in the top 10 is capable of winning this thing. The quarters on Friday morning tends to be my favorite round of states each year, and the quarters here will be lit.

St Joe’s Michael Cetta is on a roll lately with two wins over Talmadge and a win over Clark in the last three weeks, alone. However, a loss to Jacob Perez-Eli at Escape the Rock drops him to the #2 seed. He’ll likely get the two-time champ Clark again in the semis. 

Clark’s battled injuries all season long and hasn’t quite looked 100 percent. But he’s a two-time champ. He knows what it takes to get it done and I’m sure he’s itching for another shot at Cetta.

The #1 seed, Perez-Eli, knocked off returning sixth in the state Pontelandolfo in both the district and region final. They’ll run it back one more time if both make the semis. 

But wait, there’s more. Eddie Hummel was undefeated and ranked #1 before Hunter Gandy picked him apart 8-2 in the Region 8 final. The two of them wind up with the 6 and 7 seeds, respectively. All the way down at the 12-seed is two-time placer Will Grater.

The top eight will be scratching and clawing for a spot on that podium.

145

Favorites:

• Andy Clark, Collingswood
• Andrew Troczynski, Delbarton
• Kaya Sement, Pope John

When Andy Clark opened the season at 160lbs he was my pick to win. Then when it looked like he might go 152lbs, nothing changed. Now down at 145lbs, the story stays the same.

Rutgers commit Clark enters with the most state placements, finishing fourth last year. This year, he got a dream draw, with the other three contenders, Sement, Morris, and Troczynski all occupying the bottom side. 

Still, all three are capable of winning this weight. Troczynski was ranked #1 most of the season but his biggest win came against Joe Zargo, who isn’t in the bracket due to injury. Regardless of his ranking, Troczynski’s lack of significant state criteria left him with the #6 seed, and a pretty brutal draw. He’ll get a dangerous Dante Monaco in the pre-quarters and Sement in the quarters.

Despite being pinned by #2 seed Dakota Morris earlier this year, I think returning placer Sement avenges that loss and makes the final opposite Clark.

152

Favorites:

• Alex Strashinsky, Bergen Catholic
• Brandon Mooney, Camden Catholic
• Dylan Weaver, Lyndhurst

152lbs looks like it’s the top three and then everybody else.

Weaver was my preseason pick to win this weight and he’s got the #1 seed here. He took a weird loss to Dom DeIntinis earlier this year, but I can also remember him beating Strashinsky in AC last year, en route to a third-place finish. Not to mention, he has the best draw.

I’m sticking with my Weaver pick. 

As for the other contenders, Strashinsky’s been a hammer all year. He’s on the bottom side with Mooney. While Strashinsky is more known for his leg attacks, Mooney presents a tough matchup athletically. The returning fifth-place finisher from Camden Catholic is wrestling very confidently right now and will let it fly. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him come out fast and chase some upper body positions where he is good, to see if Strashinsky will wrestle him there. 

160

Favorite:

• Brian Soldano, High Point
• Dante Stefanelli, Delbarton

Super sophomore Soldano led the pack at 160lbs all year long, but will it culminate with a state title this weekend? 

I think he’s got a pretty good shot. Despite coming in at the #3 seed, he probably has the best draw of all the contenders at the weight. Soldano’s been dominant for High Point this season with his lone loss coming in the Sam Cali finals to #9 in the country Clayton Ulrey of PA. 

His biggest challengers here will likely be Dante Stefanelli and Robert Woodcock. Both are returning placers and are favorites to meet in the semi on the topside. 

Soldano’s been fantastic this year, but don’t count out these two seniors vying for one final shot at a title.

170

Favorites:

• Shane Reitsma, Howell
• Connor O’Neil, Depaul

Heading into the season, many expected the 170lb final to be a rematch of last year between Green and Reitsma. Unfortunately, Green’s season ended too soon. But the resulting matchup won’t disappoint.

Returning state finalist Connor O’Neil opened the season at #1 and immediately won a Beast title. However, he fell to Reitsma in the Powerade semis just a week later. I’m not sure we knew way back in December that we were watching a preview of the state final. This should be one of the premier matches on Saturday night.

If you’re interested in sleeper picks, Reitsma can’t be too thrilled that his #1 seed earned him a quarterfinal matchup against Haddonfield’s Luke Benedict. In the Region 7 final, the previously unbeaten Benedict hand fought tough and Reitsma needed a late third-period takedown to win 3-2. Just something to look out for.

182

Favorite:

• John Poznanski, Colonia

At 182lbs, Colonia’s John Poznanski enters as the biggest state champ, favorite in the state.

The Rutgers commit and #5 in the country is 35-0 with 26 pins. Poznanski was a state runner-up last year, was a Beast of the East champ this year, and hopes to end his career with a state title.

While Poznanski’s been holding down the #1 spot, Rada’s been sitting at #2 nearly all year. He comes in as the favorite to make the final opposite Poznanski.

For another sleeper, lookout for Benjamin Liss of Fair Lawn. He’s steadily climbed the rankings all year and enters the state tournament undefeated as the #10 seed.

195

Favorites:

• Luke Chakonis, Delbarton
• Mike Misita, St Augustine
• Martin Cosgrove, Camden Catholic

Chakonis is the #1 guy, but anyone in the top five can win this weight. 

Regions 7 and 8 will be featured throughout. Returning placers Misita and Cosgrove come in as the two biggest contenders. Misita won the only matchup between the two at the beginning of the season, but we’ll likely see a rematch here in the semis.

David Szuba, meanwhile, was an electric factory at the Region 7 tournament. First, he pinned Kyle Epperly a minute into his semifinal then gave Cosgrove all he could handle in the final, losing 10-9. He could get Epperly again in the quarters. 

I’m not sure I can pick this one.

220

Favorites:

• Kyle Jacob, Paramus
• PJ Casale, Delbarton

What a fun weight 220lbs has shaped into. Returning state finalist Jacob comes in at #1 and has gone mostly untested this season. Behind him are a number of guys looking to prove themselves.

Sophomore PJ Casale exploded on the scene last year by placing fourth and returns looking even better than before. He’s a heavy favorite to come out of the bottom side.

Damerjian is a nightmare matchup in this bracket. The Moorestown football standout is as physically imposing as anyone I’ve ever seen at the weight and looks sharp since returning from injury. At the #8 seed, a quarters matchup with Jacob looks inevitable. Does he have what it takes to knock off the #1 seed?

285

Favorite:

• Bardhyl Gashi, West Essex

At Heavyweight, returning state finalist Gashi might just be just a cut above the rest. He enters with a season record of 39-0, earning falls in all but two of his matches. 

St Joe’s Jimmy Mullen looks like the future of the weight. But is he just one year away? As the only freshman in the bracket, he has no previous state criteria, resulting in the #13 seed. He’ll have his work cut out for him, to say the least, where he could face a ranked wrestler in every round beginning with the pre-quarters. 

Estevez of Franklin is the #2 seed as he’s the only other returning placer, but I also like Jackstadt at the #6 seed. He’s one of the bigger guys at the weight, presenting a challenge physically. I think he could make the semis.

Who comes out on the bottom side here could be anyone’s guess. After all, every heavyweight bracket is just one ultimate tiebreaker match-away from being busted.